Football
Known kook Doug Martin took a shot at Akron on Signing Day:
Everyone knows that Akron has made a lot of improvements to their campus and we went head-to-head with one kid, and that was Richard Gray and we got him. We always try to talk to players, whether we get them or not, to find out what the difference was. Talking to Richard, the difference was the people. Our administrators were at every recruiting weekend. That makes a big difference to families.
Dear Coach Martin,
A few things…
1) Akron did not offer a scholarship to Gray, the No. 147 defensive end in the nation, according to both Scout.com and Rivals.com.
2) You said, "the difference was the people." As you might soon learn firsthand, a college sometimes fires its football coach. That happened at Akron. So, during one of the most critical recruiting months, you were recruiting against Akron's grad assistants. Quite a coup for you, indeed. And "the difference was the people."
3) Gray might be a serviceable player, but is he worth puffing out your chest and poking your rival? Even in your best year and Akron's worst, the Zips still mustered strength to dust you up. Isn't that the more dispositive fact here?
Sincerely,
Mike
Men's basketball
While I'm pouncing on coaches, I'll mention a conversation with Keith Dambrot after Wednesday's game.
I called him "his majesty" a couple weeks ago. You know, tongue in cheek. So Keith wanted to know why. Before I could explain that, it's a good-natured ribbing for a coach that doesn't get much, Tom Gaffney nudged me and said, "He has a persecution complex."
He's right! Dambrot wants to believe that everyone hates him. When Elton Alexander criticizes his scheduling, when I criticize his offense, when anyone on ZipsNation.org says anything but praise for his program, Dambrot gets fidgety.
Dear Coach Dambrot,
Please stop being so concerned that your job is perpetually in jeopardy. By my estimate, you would need three consecutive losing seasons and considerable off-the-court problems for serious Zips fans to consider whether you're still the right person for the job. It would probably take another two awful seasons before Luis Proenza would let anyone even take away your parking space.
In short, you have more job security than Antonin Scalia.
Also, when you hear criticism, don't take it personally. We're the media. This is what we do. Reasonable people disagree, and critically thinking reasonable people disagree even more often. Despite what I say, or what some idiots on ZipsNation.org say, you're the best coach Akron has, or will ever have.
In the future, take criticism as advice from people who know considerably less than you on a given subject, not as people who want you fired.
Sincerely,
Mike
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Mike…great response to Martin! Also, I agree that Dambrot is a remarkable coach and soemone who loves to be at Akron. I just wish we would sell out the home games. It's a lot to ask for, but the talent and excitement with the teams over the past few years should bring more people to the games.
Nice work Mike. Kent football blows, who cares what that screwball says….His Majesty should worry less about what people think of him and concentrate on keeping his locker room together.
Martin was, I believe, taking pride in "beating" Bowling Greens recruiting Class…
It's kind of sad that programs like Akron, and Bowling green are already thinking about wins in September while Martin is just happy to win in February, but after six years of not producing a Bowl Team or a winning record what else could you focus on?
Great post, I hope for years and years of Coach Martin and his touted recruiting classes winning 3-5 games and losing to Akron. I also look forward to years and years of Coach Dambrot stalking the sidelines at UA. Most of us love ya, no matter what the screwball opinions say. Keep building this program and pride in your alma mater and the folks of Akron will show, as sick and pessimistic as most citizens of this city are, they're still looking for something to have a sense of pride in.
Sounds like someone knows a little more than they are willing to put out about the locker room and conduct unbecoming of a few Akron BBall players.
Way to go Martin, try to stir something up with a rival that has beaten you 12 of 14 years or whatever it is now. UA is not even going to recruit the same caliber players from this point on, so enjoy it now and most of all next fall when UA beats you yet again.
Boy, you guys are really upset. All that chest puffin and Akron beats KSU the majority of the time over the last ten years? Imagine how you`d react if it was the basketball program and Geno Ford? Ouch!
hey fred…shut up. Akron is better than Kent in EVERYTHING, deal with it. We beat them in football the past 2 years, we are always nationally ranked in soccer and made it to the championship last year, and oh yeah we made the tournament in basketball too. No one cares about what Kent did in basketball in the past…they are nothing now
Good response to Coach Martin. I don't follow the football that close, but as a grad. of both schools, I know he should have been fired a long time ago.
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Coach KD is the best coach we've had in the BB program since Coach Webb. I've been going to games since 1968 and have seen more than 50% of all home game since then, even in the real crappy years. He, like I, often measure the value by the crowd size. It's not that accurate.It's an entertainment market and he's competing against the Cav's primarily, who are pretty popular from what I understand.
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Most of the games I've seen over the years I went at halftime, where I could get in for free. $20.00 a ticket is not cheap for most people.It's easy to forget that after you start making over $100K per year. For many fans a game is a once a year treat. I wish the marketing people could assess the number of unsold tickets and reprice them at a discount. Sell them to high schools or other groups that have members who can never afford to go to the games. Just a thought….
Vinny – Kent is nothing now in basketball? Last time I checked – Kent was 7 and 2 in MAC and in first place. Oh, and by the way, we kicked the crap out of you 2 weeks ago in the MAC center.
Nice comment. I won't even comment on the past – but it speaks for itself.
And, not to steal Fred's thunder, but the last time I checked, Kent has owned the Jacoby and Reece cups, which sure doesnt speak to Akron kicking our butts in everything – must be the other way around.
Why don't you pick on your own coach, who said after the Eastern Michigan loss you all were a bunch of frontrunners. His direct qoute was, all of our fans will turn on us." WOW – lots of faith from the coach for the fan base.
Good response, Mike.
And concerning KD, he is much loved by Akron fans and he knows it. Don't sweat the "majesty" bit.
Honestly, though, when you used that, it struck me as some sort of backhanded compliment. Or a sarcastic remark, much like Han Solo callimg Princess Lea "Princess," in Star Wars. KD was probably just worried you thought he was an egomaniac, or something. I know if someone called me "your majesty," I'd figure it was a loaded comment. I'd also be curious to know what exactly they meant by the moniker.
Keep up the great work, Mike! You're greatly appreciated!
Hey Vinny, you shut! No, you shut up, no, you shut up, nooo, you shut up!
Mike, Great post…except…Dambrot is the best coach Akron has?!? Didn't Caleb Porter just take Akron to the national title game in soccer?? Didn't Caleb Porter just snag the #1 recruiting class in the NATION???? Don't get me wrong, Dambrot's great but he's certainly not the best at Akron.
Rich-You are an idiot.
Akron's ticket prices are too cheap. I would raise them,,
You are probably a buckeye idiot who will pay any price, but expect a free ticket from UA.
Go away.
Kent Fans / Fred, How is he still employed? He must have pictures of someone or something to still have his job. Maybe a salary savings since I believe he is the lowest on the pay scale of MAC FB coaches. Although the stadium upgrades were nice Coach, you might want to sink a little money into your field house complex.
Good idea. You missed my point entirely. Raise the prices and then we should attract more fans.
Just don't blame the coach or let him blame himself.
Blame the fans.
Rich – you have to be kidding about Zips Men's Basketball ticket prices. You can buy a GA ticket for $10. Get to the most games 1/2-hour before tip off, and you can easily sit where you want in GA.
I am with Rich somewhat on his ticket ideas. This isn't so much because of the money but just to get more bodies in the arena seats. I don't know about changing ticket prices but I like the idea of providing tickets to area schools and groups to help bolster attendance and maybe even create more community interest.
UA does provide tickets to any person or group that wants them.
They just need to spend their moldy money to get them…just like I do.
Hey Mike,
Stop calling the dedicated Zips fans on ZN idiots.
There are a ton of dedicated fans who give a damn. Too bad KD doesn't realize that…
"No one cares about what Kent did in basketball in the past…they are nothing now"
Since the 2007 – 2008 season, The Kent State Golden Flashes hold a 5-1 record against the Akron Zips. But give Akron credit, they put up a heck of an effort against Kent State in the 2008 MAC Championship game, losing by 19 points.
OK? you know Kent lost to Akron last year by what 14 points? and they lost in the FIRST round of the MAC tournament…yeah basketball Kent has had a good record against the zips 5-1, so football our record is like 14-2…Not sure if you can understand that's a bit better
…have fun working at McDonald's the rest of your life Kent grads! I hope they let you clean the toilets someday
"…have fun working at McDonald's the rest of your life Kent grads! I hope they let you clean the toilets someday"
Is that anyway to represent The University of Akron?
I just wanted to remind you guys that soccer is not really a sport. It is a babysitting service.